Cayuga CC pilots new summer bridge program to prepare students for college-level coursework

DATE: 08-14-2012

This summer, 30 Cayuga Community College students got a jumpstart on their preparations for the fall start of their college careers through a new Summer Bridge Program. The six-week, six-credit hour program offered students a chance to enroll in developmental math and English courses, meet their peers and faculty members, and receive unlimited advising and individualized support.

“The purpose of the program is to provide a structured opportunity for students to complete developmental coursework in the summer in order to get through their developmental sequence in a timely matter,” said faculty member Nicole Adsitt, coordinator of developmental studies. “Since this is a small learning community format, the program also provides opportunities for student engagement and orients them to the campus prior to the start of the semester.”

The 12 participating students in Auburn and 18 students in Fulton enrolled in at least one of the four developmental courses offered in the program as well as Cayuga 101 Foundations for College Success. This course helps students navigate important aspects of college life through eight guiding principles: personal responsibility, self-motivation, self-management, interdependence, self-awareness, lifelong learning, emotional intelligence, and belief in themselves. Through Cayuga 101 readings, journals, class activities, and group projects, they learned about college expectations and strategies that lead to academic, professional, and personal success.

Students also learned tips on how to develop good study skills and were required to meet weekly with an academic coach.

“The response from students and faculty has been overwhelmingly positive,” Adsitt said. Students appreciated the opportunity to get a head start in the summer. A survey of participating students showed that after the summer program students felt more comfortable starting classes in the fall, working with instructors, and using campus resources. Students also indicated that they had positive interactions with other students during the summer.”

Adsitt said the College will run the program again next summer, and hopes to incorporate more out-of-class support for students, including more interactions with advisors, tutors, and others who provide student services.

“I think this was a great start,” she said. “I look forward to expanding the program next summer.”